Parker’s power-play goal off a scramble in front of the net with 1:14 left in overtime made sure Sperry’s sensational 38-save effort didn’t go to waste as Assabet knocked off perennial champion Shattuck-St. Mary’s in a thrilling 1-0 title game at the USA Hockey Tier I 19 & Under National Championship.

The preliminaries are in the books and after the first three days of play there’s been parity in almost every bracket, everything has gone smoothly in administering the tournament and as a bonus to the hosts, three of the four Green Bay Bobcats teams have advanced to the quarterfinals.

For the past two years, the National Sports Academy’s Tier I 19 & Under girls’ team has been agonizingly close to reaching the USA Hockey National Championship. This year there was no way the Mountaineers were going to be denied again.

The Tier I 19 & Under LA Selects team wanted a third straight USA Hockey Pacific District title and a little revenge to boot. LA got both during the tournament in San Jose.

Despite the pedigree of the Assabet Valley Tier I 19 & Under team, it didn’t exactly get off to a flying start to the season. But at the USA Hockey Massachusetts District Tournament, Assabet’s talent shined en route to winning the title and qualifying for the USA Hockey National Championship April 7-11 in Green Bay, Wis.

The Minnesota Crunch brought a new addition to the USA Hockey Minnesota District Tier I 19 & Under field in 2010. The Crunch didn't win, but proved that opportunities for girls at the age level in Minnesota are rapidly expanding.